Danbury High School head football coach Dan Donovan during the high school football game between Staples High School and Danbury High School at Staples in Westport, Friday, Oct. 18, 2013.
Photo: Bob Luckey

DANBURY -- Danbury High School Athletic Director confirmed Tuesday evening that Hatters football coach Dan Donovan resigned from his post after five seasons.

"Dan is a very talented educator and he has decided to make his future commitment and focus to being a high school principal," Salvestrini said in a press release. "Dan worked very hard with our football program and was an outstanding leader for the many young men he coached over the last five years. He is highly respected by his peers in the FCIAC and around the state. He will not be an easy head coach to replace."

Donovan's teams posted a combined record of 15-36 in his five seasons at the helm. The Hatters' best season on his watch was 2011, when they went 5-5. Donovan had served as an assistant coach on the late Rick Davis' staff since 2001 before taking the head position prior to the 2009 season.

"This is probably the toughest decision I've ever had to make in my life," Donovan said over the phone Tuesday evening. "It came down to one thing, and that one thing is time. Between my family, my job as an administrator and my responsibilities as the head football coach, there just wasn't enough time.

"It's extremely sad," Donovan continued. "And the one thing I'd like to make very clear is that this had nothing to do with the kids. The players are awesome. The saddest part is that I'm leaving a great group of kids."

A search committee will be formed to hire the next head football coach, Salvestrini said. The job announcement will be posted this week and the anticipated closing date for applications will be Feb. 19.